why do we have to exercise regularly

Want to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? Just exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to get moving? Check out these seven ways exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you. 1. Exercise controls weight
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. Regular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day.

To reap the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is key. 2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, a number of types of cancer, arthritis and falls. 3.

Exercise improves mood Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A gym session or brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. 4. Exercise boosts energy Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently.

And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores. Oct. 13, 2016 We move around less and burn off less energy than people used to. Research suggests that many adults spend more than seven hours a day sitting down, at work, on transport or in theirPleisure time. People aged over 65 spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group. P Inactivity is described by the Department of Health as a silent killer. Evidence is emerging that sedentary behaviour, such as sitting or lying down for long periods,Pis bad for your health.

Not only should you try to raise your activity levels, but you should also reduce the amount of time you and your family spend sitting down. Common examples ofPsedentary behaviour include watching TV, using a computer, using the carPfor short journeys and sitting down to read, talk or listen to music and such behaviour is thought to increase your risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as weight gain and obesity. P Previous generations were active more naturally through work and manual labour, but today we have to find ways of integrating activity into our daily lives, says Dr Cavill.

Whether it's limiting the time babies spendPstrapped in theirPbuggies, or encouraging adults to stand up and move frequently, people of all ages need to reducePtheir sedentary behaviour. This means that each of us needs to think about increasing the types of activities that suit our lifestyle and can easily be included in our day, says Dr Cavill. Crucially, you canPhit your weekly activity target but still be at risk of ill health if you spend the rest of the time sitting or lying down. For tips on building physical activity and exercise into your day, whatever your age, read. For aPsummary on the health benefits of being more active, check out this.